Discriminant function analysis assessed the predictive relevance of nine characteristics measured in sixth grade for differentiating among social identities claimed 4 years later by 616 participants in the Michigan Study of Life Transitions. For females, the first discriminant function, associated with academic motivation, self-esteem, and…

Pedhazur and Tetenbaum speculated that factor structures from self-ratings of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) personality traits would be different from factor structures from desirability ratings of the same traits. To explore this hypothesis, both desirability ratings of BSRI traits (both "for a man" and "for a woman") and…

Most discriminant function analyses provide a table of hits and misses with respect to classifications. Cohen's kappa coefficient is shown to be applicable to these tables and useful for setting confidence limits for the accuracy of the discriminant prediction. (Author/JKS)

The Kvaraceus Delinquency Proneness Scale (KD Scale) was developed as an instrument designed to aid in prediction of future juvenile delinquents. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the predictive validity of the instrument over a 5-year period. Indexes of delinquency adjustment and academic achievement served as the validational…

Confirmatory factor analysis was applied to test second- and higher-order factor models in the areas of structure of abilities, allometry, and the separation of specific and error variance estimates. The estimation of validity and reliability, second-order models within factor analysis models, and the concept of discriminability were also studied.…

In a recent article in this journal (EJ 130 391) Siegel and Bergman described a "miniature job training and evaluation" approach to performance prediction. This research highlights their methodology's strengths and weaknesses in light of standard procedures recommended in developing any set of predictors. (Author/RK)

The ElemenOE is a Likert-scaled observation checklist developed in this study to measure 5 personality characteristics in elementary school children, with predictive validity for identifying giftedness. The characteristics, named "overexcitabilities," are described within the context of Dabrowski's Theory of Positive Disintegration. Five…

Discriminant analysis of Holland's Self Directed Search and Vocational Preference Inventory significantly improved the predictive validity of his classification scheme, over the traditional method of assigning high point codes. These results were obtained with both an initial and a replication sample of undergraduates pursuing various degrees. The…

Starting with the premise that the construct-oriented approach is the only viable approach to personality assessment, this paper considers five propositions. First, a prerequisite to generalizable and valid psychometric measurement of personality rests on the choice of broad-based constructs with systematic univocal definitions. Next, measures…

When either regression models or subjectively-weighted models are used as aids in making placement decisions, the discriminant validity of these models is questioned. The validity of several regression models and of subjectively weighted models was investigated in two experiments. (Author/JKS)

Empirical studies addressing admission to and graduation from a doctoral program focusing on educational leadership are noticeably absent within the professional literature, and this study seeks to fill partially this void through testing specific hypotheses. Archival data were used to conduct a three group discriminant analyses where the…

One phase of an investigation of the high attrition rate of junior colleges, this study sought to determine whether it is possible to predict, before classes begin, if an entering student will stay through or withdraw during the first semester. Data obtained in Phase One of the study of 653 entering students were augmented with high school test…

Employed a discriminant analysis with a number of instruments to determine their relative power in classifying hyperactive children. Results indicated that only nine of 27 measures used had the potential to discriminate hyperactive from normal children. Only three measures were needed in the discriminant equation for accurate classification.…

Questions (N=40) were tested for their ability to discriminate compatible roommates. A stepwise discriminant analysis selected 15 items for inclusion in a discriminant function that, when used to reclassify pairs, was 90 percent accurate. The question that contributed most to discriminating the groups was weekday bedtime. (Author)